The summer was long, with the overcast skies casting an early twilight.
By the time Zhao Lun disembarked from the train, the light had almost faded entirely. Though the sky was gloomy, there was no sign of impending rain.
As he exited the station, Monica and Maria were already waiting outside for him.
"Brother!" Maria, dressed in a princess-like gown, quickly ran to him, clinging to him like a koala, unwilling to let go.
Zhao Lun's sudden departure had been hard for her to accept; she feared that he might never return.
"Boss, if you don't come back soon, Maria might starve to death." Monica shot him a playful yet worried glance. "She hasn't had lunch since you left, and she has no appetite for dinner. As soon as she received your message, she rushed here to fetch you." Monica's concern was evident, not only for Maria but also for Zhao Lun.
Zhao Lun was their cornerstone. If something were to happen to him, their foundation would collapse.
"From now on, don't do this again." Zhao Lun gently rubbed Maria's little head, keeping her in his embrace. "By the way, I brought you some gifts." He pointed to a bundle beside him, which contained a wizard's hat and robe for Maria, along with a small broomstick placed next to it. His own belongings had long been stored in the Divine Realm.
"Brother is so nice!" Maria kissed his cheek but didn't immediately look at the gifts. Normally, she would have joyfully run to examine them.
Monica, however, took the gift on his behalf.
"Woof!—Grrr!" Several dog barks caught Zhao Lun's attention as he noticed the dogs arriving. They were there to protect Maria and the others. Perhaps they couldn't deal with wizards, but they were certainly sufficient to guard against petty criminals.
Nearby, he also spotted a few security personnel wearing headphones he had designed, standing vigilant.
The group boarded the car and slowly left the still-bustling area.
The streetlights outside flickered to life as Zhao Lun held Maria, who was reluctant to leave, and looked out the window at the changing Trissy Town.
New buildings were cropping up, and new facilities had been added. The town had evolved to the point where it could no longer be considered just a town but was now a small city. The towering new buildings were especially conspicuous. Zhao Lun was pleased with how quickly the town had developed—an outcome of his influence.
As he observed, he sifted through the data on his light brain, filling in the gaps.
"I heard Trissy Town is going to be upgraded to a city?" Zhao Lun asked Monica.
"Yes, boss."
"However, it was rejected due to insufficient conditions," Monica replied nonchalantly.
"In that case, we should take advantage of the situation and develop further. After all, this is our home." Zhao Lun stated. This was his territory, and no outsider would be allowed to interfere. As for the proposal to upgrade the town, it was still too early.
"Ada has already made arrangements. No one will be able to touch this place," Monica said firmly.
The town's rapid development was thanks to their financial support and their involvement in its construction. Their influence had permeated every corner of the town, and no one could meddle without their consent.
Soon, they arrived home. Zhao Shi Manor was aglow with lights, and a row of people stood at the entrance waiting for their return.
It was the maids and guards.
"There's no need for such a grand reception. Just a quiet return home is enough," Zhao Lun said, still holding Maria. "Next time, don't do this again."
"Yes, boss," Monica replied, reaching out to take the now-sleeping Maria from his arms, but the little girl refused to let go. Maria had been very worried about her brother. Now that he was back, she could finally rest, though she clung to him.
"You probably haven't eaten. Let's have dinner first," Zhao Lun continued holding her.
Dinner arrived shortly, and the delicious aroma roused Maria from her slumber.
"Wash your hands and eat," Zhao Lun instructed.
The meal was peaceful, and once it was over, the maids cleaned up the leftovers. It was only then that Maria released her grip and was led away by Angela to wash up. Zhao Lun retreated to his room, washed up, and prepared for rest.
The arrival of Haig had disrupted his tranquility. The long day had left him mentally exhausted, and he needed rest to recover.
Lying in bed, despite his fatigue, sleep eluded him, and his consciousness sank into the light brain, entering the already-simulated virtual Diagon Alley.
Today's visit to Diagon Alley had been overwhelming. The numerous wizards passing by made him feel as though an ordinary person were surrounded by a pack of wolves. The pressure it caused was immense.
"My skills are still not honed," he thought about his martial arts. True warriors were forged step by step through training. He had advanced quickly through the Divine Realm's waters, strengthening his body, but his willpower had not been equally developed. He could handle ordinary people, but when facing true warriors—especially wizards who were far more formidable—the pressure was evident.
Willpower, courage.
The virtual Diagon Alley simulation was incredibly realistic, even simulating the powerful aura of the wizards. As soon as Zhao Lun entered, he felt it. He tried to approach these auras, attempting to gradually refine his own will, until drowsiness overcame him, and he finally left the simulation.
In the haze, he sensed someone lying beside him and then climbing into his arms. The scent was familiar, but he paid it no mind.
When daylight broke, Zhao Lun woke to find something heavy pressing on his chest. It was an uncomfortable feeling. Upon opening his eyes, he saw Maria nestled in his arms. But wait—what was this in his hands? He felt something soft and warm.
A white, rosy dumpling with smooth, pristine skin, and delicate collarbones. Looking up, he saw Monica.
He gently rubbed it, making the rosy hue rise.
"Stop it, let me sleep a little longer," Monica muttered, swatting away the mischievous hand.
"By the way, how did you end up here too?" Zhao Lun's hand found its way back up, feeling soft, warm, and elastic, a bit playful.
"Maria came in the middle of the night. I was worried, so I followed her," Monica replied, turning onto her side and presenting her back, ready to continue sleeping.
Being disturbed in the middle of the night and then harassed just as dawn broke was not good for her sleep quality. As for the playful touching, she didn't mind. It was normal for children who lacked maternal affection to seek such comfort, and Maria had touched more than Zhao Lun had. After all, the boss was still just a kid.
"Well, you two carry on. I'll go train," Zhao Lun said, giving her rear a gentle tap, turning her around, and placing Maria into her embrace before heading off to wash up and begin his training.
Since that one busy day, Zhao Lun hadn't stopped his workouts.
The training hall, newly constructed, had a spacious area surrounded by glass walls, facing the rising morning sun. The maids had already opened the windows, and the room was filled with fresh air.
Zhao Lun stood firm, extending his arms slowly, feeling the air move with his motions. He stirred the air with his hands, the wind following, and he moved with it, closing his eyes and becoming one with the breeze, letting the wind's freedom fill him. His movements were as fluid as the wind, unpredictable in direction, yet utterly natural.
When the daylight grew brighter, he stopped, assuming a final posture and finishing his exercise. His body crackled with energy, making him feel refreshed.
He stood, grabbed a towel from the nearby tray, wiped the sweat from his face, and went to wash up.
Maria, now dressed in the wizard outfit Zhao Lun had bought her, was happily riding the toy flying broom. Monica watched, concerned about Maria's reckless stunts, but Maria was laughing non-stop, leaving Monica helpless.
Zhao Lun, dressed in his wizard robes, observed her from the side. Maria, riding the flying broom like a true witch, flew with remarkable stability.
He couldn't help but marvel at Maria's talent. She had flown on her first try, effortlessly mastering the broomstick without any guidance, and she flew with such confidence. Truly a prodigy.
Seeing Zhao Lun, Maria giggled and flew toward him on her broom, with Monica trailing behind, out of breath.
"Boss, we can't keep up with her," Monica said, panting. She wasn't a witch, and Maria's flight above was beyond her ability.
Monica worried that Maria, being so young, might not understand the dangers of flying outside, where ordinary people might see her.
"Don't worry, this flying broom is perfectly safe. As long as she doesn't fly outside, there's no problem," Zhao Lun reassured her. "Of course, if you want one of these flying devices, you'll have to wait a while. Right now, I can't produce a suitable one using our technology."
This place had become their domain. No outsider could intrude without Zhao Lun's permission, so Maria could play freely.
After breakfast, Zhao Lun entered the Divine Realm, ready to examine the items he had purchased the day before.
A tiny figure flew toward him—it was the flower fairy, Aya. She had grown a little and no longer spoke sharply. She was now quite friendly.
"Zhao Lun, Zhao Lun, Aya offers you flower dew, freshly harvested today," the little fairy said, holding a trumpet-shaped flower containing a jade-like liquid. Zhao Lun could smell the fragrance of a hundred flowers emanating from the dew.
"Thank you," Zhao Lun carefully took the fragile flower and drank the dew in one gulp.
The cool, sweet liquid, infused with the essence of flowers, felt refreshing, like a cold beer in the middle of a desolate desert. After drinking it, the taste lingered, unforgettable.